Raise your hand if you have a love-hate relationship with pants. (Hi, it’s me—you, too? Good, we’re in this together.)
When they’re good, they’re great, but so many pairs of jeans miss the mark. I’ve lunged, pliéd, sucked in, and stood on my tip toes in many dressing rooms just to walk away empty-handed—but with my latest find from Reformation, the experience was much different.
Usually, my problem is that what fits my hips doesn’t fit my waist. I end up with a gap in the back, or I’m constantly pulling up sagging pants. Then, you have the pairs that puff up at the zipper when you sit down (what is UP with that anyway?). I have none of these issues with the Val 90s Mid-Rise Straight Jeans from Reformation.
The rise sits perfectly between mid and high, just where I like it—flattering my waistline without butting up to my bra. I think the label “straight leg” is often misused, but these have a true straight fit throughout. They gently hug the thigh and offer more room from the knee down, making them perfect for wearing with a tall boot underneath. In classic denim washes like Ahurani or Pelican, these are a certified staple. Lately, to capitalize on the chocolate brown trend, I’ve paired the brown Mole pair with a fitted black long-sleeve top and my favorite heeled black boots for an office-appropriate look that couldn’t be easier to pull together.
My only complaint is that they are a touch too long when worn with flats or sneakers, but I am a relatively humble 5’5”, to be fair. Made with cotton, they don’t offer much stretch, but I would say they run slightly large. I sized down one size and probably could have gone one further. Call me vain, but I’ll never whine about needing to size down.
As far as in-store shopping goes, Ref is ahead of the pack. I’ve yet to witness a better dressing room system. For those who aren’t familiar, here’s the rundown. Each cubicle is spacious and well-lit with a big, beautiful mirror. There’s an iPad where you can browse inventory, request sizing swaps, or add new items that you want to try. The Reformation fairies deliver your haul by way of a two-way cabinet in the dressing room. (You’re advised to keep your side of the dresser doors closed while changing lest an unsuspecting retail employee get an eyeful.) You don’t have to see or talk to anyone—or even leave your post to bring back another round of potential purchases. I could literally spend all day in one; it’s a dream come true, particularly for antisocial shoppers. That’s all to say: If you can get to an actual location, I would highly recommend it. But if not, online shopping is never unappealing—let’s be honest. So, to get you started, shop The Reformation’s bestselling denim styles, below.
Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans
Cynthia High Rise Straight Jeans
Cary Low Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans
Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans
Wilder High Rise Wide Leg Jeans
Cynthia High Rise Straight Cropped Jeans
Why Trust ELLE
Every product featured on ELLE.com is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.